Hysteroscopy - scared

[Quirkyme]

Hi,

So I have "thick lining of the womb", this was detected in a transvaginal ultrasound scan I had in December. I was told in a follow-up appointment in Feb. At the time a hysteroscopy was mentioned but as I didn't have any negative symptoms, it was agreed I would have a follow-up scan in 3 months time.

This was brought forward due to having pain/twinges (and bleeding outside of my cycle) in my right side for about a week, which I thought may be due to a ruptured cyst.

Had the scan last month on my period, no cysts (there were cysts in the scan in Dec), but a thick lining again.

Tbh, I'd rather not have the hysteroscopy, and I have been extremely stressed and do think that's contributing (I have seen stories of others who were stressed and had a thick lining but this reduced when the stress contributing was no longer present). In my call with the consultant today, I did say I would like another ultrasound in a few months so I could see the difference when the stress is no longer present.

The consultant said he recommends a hysteroscopy as I've had two scans now both showing a thick lining and he recommends to make sure nothing is missed. He said he doesn't foresee it being sinister, with my age and the hysteroscopy is booked under "routine" pathway as opposed to the sinister pathway.

I'm just scared. More so of the procedure. I also don't want to go on any contraception or have a coil, he mentioned these can help the womb lining.

He mentioned that the camera is smaller than the probe used for the transvaginal ultrasound (which I don't find painful but my smears can be, it's better with the smaller speculum). But then I've seen horror stories here.

We have gone for without anaesthetic first and if needed then that can be discussed.

I'm 31, have regular periods, and I am generally fit and healthy. Not trying to conceive at the moment.

This is all just scary.

Can I ask what your experiences were? Anyone similar age range and had a thick womb lining but didn't go on contraception etc to "correct" it? And how was the hysteroscopy for you?

I'm concerned about the hysteroscopy and whatever else, and just telling myself I should do it just to check.

Thanks

''Thank you, this was really good to know. May I ask what you were having the original hysteroscopy for? And why you refused GA?
And you felt comfortable waiting 6 months?

Mine is for a thick womb lining that we don't know what's causing it... no polyps have shown on ultrasounds, but he said it MAY be a cause. It was also comforting to know polyps can go on their own.'*'
*
Yes sorry I wasn't very clear, when they couldnt do the hysterscope because of pain and being unable to pass the cervix the Dr offered to do under a GA. I think I was so traumatised by what had just happened I said no.

My only symptoms were heavy (but manageable) periods and on the scan they said the polyps looked small and not 'suspicious' so I felt able to leave it for 6 months.

I'm glad in hindsight I refused to have it done under GA as the final ultrasound couldn't find anything!!

I've no idea if polyps can just disappear or if the original scan was looking at something else?

Hi, I am going through the same thing. I'm 33 years old. I started getting pain at ovulation and spotting before my period which led to the scan showing everything normal except a thickened lining of 18mm. The scan was taken at day 18 of cycle.

I have had a lot of stress and anxiety over the last year, but before then i'd never had gynae problems.

I'm more worried about what the thickened lining is caused by than the procedure, I haven't had my children yet and i'm terrified its something that could lead to hysterectomy or something.

Just an update to say, thankfully, I don't need to have a hysteroscopy.

Basically they gave me a hysteroscopy appt, in April, after I wrote this post... and the appt was booked for end of July.

I called my GP and asked for a scan in the meantime, to note any changes (in the hopes of not having to have the hysteroscopy when end of July came around).

The scan was two weeks ago, and my lining was showing as slightly thick but not as thickened as the first discovery of a thickened lining. It was 17mm (if it's 15mm + it's counts as thick). The sonographer actually said that the previous ultrasounds were taken at the wrong time of my cycle, and that as this is hormonal it may be that this is normal for me and that as i was 6 days away from my period, to come back from another scan after my period. She said I may not need to go ahead with the hysteroscopy is all is fine.

I had the scan this week, and it was 7mm. So won't be going ahead with the hysteroscopy. I do also think stress has played a part and I'm due to have a chat with the consultant I'm under soon, and I'm going to discuss having follow up ultrasounds over the next few months to keep an eye.

Oh that’s great news! Glad it’s all fine at the moment and that they’re keeping an eye on you 😊